Written Answers Nos. 200-210
200. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health when a person in County Donegal (details supplied) can expect to receive a date for an operation from Galway University Hospital; if and when a referral was made from Letterkenny University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46997/23]
View answerUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
201. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied); and when the person concerned can expect an appointment at the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Dublin. [47025/23]
View answerUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
202. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of apprenticeships instituted in south Kildare since 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46976/23]
View answerThe requested information is set out in the following tables.
KWETB Live Registered Apprentices at end of Year
|
End of Year |
Number |
|
2019 |
1,249 |
|
2020 |
1,368 |
|
2021 |
1,678 |
|
2022 |
1,854 |
|
2023 (YTD) |
1,885 |
|
Registrations in KWETB per Year |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 ytd |
Total |
|
Accounting Technician |
3 |
6 |
14 |
6 |
11 |
40 |
|
Advanced Healthcare Assistant Practitioner |
11 |
11 |
||||
|
Agricultural Mechanics |
1 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
6 |
|
|
Arboriculture |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
5 |
|
|
Auctioneering and Property Services |
5 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
8 |
31 |
|
Bar Manager |
22 |
3 |
25 |
|||
|
Brick and Stonelaying |
4 |
3 |
10 |
2 |
4 |
23 |
|
Butcher |
2 |
1 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
12 |
|
Carpentry and Joinery |
61 |
54 |
77 |
75 |
41 |
308 |
|
Chef de Partie |
1 |
1 |
||||
|
Civil Engineer |
1 |
1 |
||||
|
Civil Engineering Technician |
2 |
2 |
||||
|
Commis Chef |
8 |
5 |
4 |
6 |
23 |
|
|
Construction Plant Fitting |
8 |
18 |
13 |
16 |
4 |
59 |
|
Cybersecurity |
2 |
1 |
2 |
5 |
||
|
Electrical |
114 |
116 |
145 |
170 |
133 |
678 |
|
Electrical Instrumentation |
7 |
3 |
10 |
13 |
9 |
42 |
|
Electronic Security Systems |
3 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
11 |
|
|
Engineering Services Management |
2 |
2 |
||||
|
Equipment Systems Engineer |
1 |
1 |
||||
|
Farriery |
1 |
1 |
||||
|
Geo Driller |
1 |
1 |
||||
|
Hairdressing |
3 |
23 |
23 |
11 |
60 |
|
|
Heavy Vehicle Mechanics |
33 |
19 |
26 |
9 |
18 |
105 |
|
Horticulture |
1 |
1 |
||||
|
Industrial Electrical Engineer |
2 |
2 |
2 |
6 |
||
|
Insurance Practitioner |
7 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
9 |
21 |
|
Laboratory Analyst |
5 |
6 |
3 |
5 |
3 |
22 |
|
Laboratory Technician |
4 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
9 |
|
|
Lean Sigma Manager |
2 |
4 |
1 |
7 |
||
|
Logistics Associate |
7 |
4 |
3 |
7 |
10 |
31 |
|
M.A.M.F. |
12 |
9 |
10 |
14 |
8 |
53 |
|
Manufacturing Engineering (Level 7) |
1 |
1 |
||||
|
Metal Fabrication |
14 |
12 |
24 |
17 |
6 |
73 |
|
Motor Mechanics |
24 |
23 |
37 |
35 |
19 |
138 |
|
Network Engineer Associate |
1 |
1 |
3 |
5 |
||
|
OEM Engineer |
2 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
13 |
|
Painting and Decorating |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
6 |
|
|
Pipefitting |
2 |
4 |
2 |
8 |
||
|
Plastering |
2 |
2 |
4 |
8 |
||
|
Plumbing |
49 |
39 |
62 |
63 |
40 |
253 |
|
Polymer Processing Technology |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
6 |
|
Principal Engineer |
1 |
1 |
||||
|
Recruitment Executive |
4 |
2 |
1 |
7 |
||
|
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning |
17 |
11 |
22 |
22 |
10 |
82 |
|
Retail Supervision |
1 |
15 |
12 |
21 |
7 |
56 |
|
Sales |
4 |
4 |
6 |
4 |
18 |
|
|
Scaffolding |
2 |
4 |
6 |
|||
|
Sheet Metalworking |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|||
|
Software Developer Associate |
1 |
1 |
||||
|
Sportsturf Management |
3 |
3 |
||||
|
Stonecutting and Stonemasonry |
1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
||
|
Supply Chain Associate |
1 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
||
|
Supply Chain Manager |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|||
|
Supply Chain Specialist |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|||
|
Telecommunications and Data Network Technician |
1 |
2 |
4 |
1 |
8 |
|
|
Toolmaking |
3 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
7 |
|
|
Transport Operations and Commercial Driving |
2 |
2 |
||||
|
Vehicle Body Repairs |
6 |
1 |
4 |
2 |
2 |
15 |
|
Wood Manufacturing and Finishing |
19 |
10 |
24 |
31 |
14 |
98 |
|
Grand Total |
431 |
387 |
582 |
616 |
415 |
2431 |
203. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department, or any body under the aegis of his Department, has facilitated in-person or remote briefings on any issue from organisations (details supplied) from 2021 to date; if so, the topic discussed; the fees paid to the organisations for these briefings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46761/23]
View answerMy Department has not facilitated any in-person or remote briefings from either Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI) or BelongTo from 2021 to date.
The information in respect of state bodies, within the scope of the Deputy’s question, is not held by my Department. Contact details for these bodies are set out in the attached document, should the Deputy wish to contact the aegis bodies directly with her query.
204. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the up-to-date position regarding plans and the timeframe to redevelop the former Pretty Polly plant and site in Killarney, County Kerry, into a further education centre of excellence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46799/23]
View answerThe proposal put forward by Kerry ETB (KETB) under the FET College of the Future Major Projects fund aims to transform FET provision in Killarney. As the deputy is aware, the Pretty Polly site has not been in use for some time and the ambition is to convert it into a state-of-the-art campus focusing on skills development in Hospitality Training, while supporting Renewable Energy and Sustainable Green Technologies.
This proposal is now at the next stage of development, which involves the development of a preliminary business case which is a fundamental part of the public spending code requirements.
The original date for receipt by SOLAS of the preliminary business case submissions was the 30th of September, however ETBs have sought additional time and it now has until the 12th of January 2024 to submit their completed preliminary business cases.
Advancing capital investment decisions is a key priority for me and my Department and I recognise the importance of developing, enhancing and supporting the FET sector to allow it to provide high quality campuses for our learners and teaching staff.
In that regard, late last year my Department gave approval to appoint a design team under the Strategic Infrastructure Upgrade Fund for two proposals put forward by KETB which will see the refurbishment and upgrade of existing accommodation at their Listowel Campus and provision of additional accommodation at their Monavalley Campus in Tralee.
My officials and SOLAS will continue to work closely with KETB in ensuring that the appropriate infrastructures are in place to meet the needs of their learners and staff.
205. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if, with regard to the now vacant old St. Paul's Community School building in Monasterevin, County Kildare, he will give consideration to its possible suitability for use as a centre for apprenticeships and-or further education courses. [46977/23]
View answerThe potential use of a building is a matter for the ETB in the first instance.
I have requested my officials to engage with the Kildare and Wicklow ETB to establish their interest in the building referred to by the Deputy. It is expected Solas will visit the site in a couple of weeks to assess the building.
206. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what funding is provided to a programme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46998/23]
View answerMy officials are liaising with Skillnet Ireland on this question and a response will be issued to the Deputy shortly.
207. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department, or any body under the aegis of her Department, has facilitated in-person or remote briefings on any issue from organisations (details supplied) from 2021 to date; if so, the topic discussed; the fees paid to the organisations for these briefings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46758/23]
View answerEquality, Diversity and Inclusion are intrinsic to my Department’s values and it is an equal opportunities employer. The Department of Rural and Community Development's programmes, policies and practices promote and advance social justice, equality, diversity and inclusivity across the range of interventions and supports to communities. To date, my Department has not facilitated in-person or remote briefings on any issue with the two named organisations.
There are 4 agencies under the aegis of my Department: Water Safety Ireland (WSI), Pobal, the Western Development Commission (WDC) and the Charities Regulatory Authority (CRA). The day to day operational matters of the agencies, including human resource issues and regulations, are a matter for their Boards and CEOs.
208. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount of the €50 million community recognition fund that has been spent; and to detail what the money has been spent on. [46792/23]
View answerOn 18th May, accompanied by the Taoiseach and other Government colleagues, I announced details of €50 million in funding for over 880 projects under the Community Recognition Fund.
At its core, this Fund recognises the efforts of communities who have gone above and beyond during what has been a very challenging period for our country. It will support towns and villages nationwide that have shown such generosity in welcoming people from Ukraine and other countries.
The Fund has been allocated across all local authorities based on the number of new arrivals located there. It follows an extensive consultation process by local authorities who submitted their individual list of projects for approval.
Through this initiative, communities have been assisted to develop projects ranging from large-scale multi-purpose sports facilities to walkways, cycle paths, playgrounds, equipment for sports clubs and community festivals. Full details of the projects and the successful applications are available on my Department’s website.
gov.ie - Community Recognition Fund 2023-List of Successful Applicants (www.gov.ie)
These projects are to be delivered over the course of 2023 and 2024. Local authorities are currently submitting drawdown requests to my Department in respect of these projects and my officials are assessing these for payment. Over €2.9 million has been paid out to local authorities to date and I expect this amount to increase substantially before year end.
209. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to provide a breakdown of the allocations made under the outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme for 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46917/23]
View answerThe Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme is funded by my Department under Our Rural Future. The scheme provides funding for the development and enhancement of outdoor infrastructure such as trails, walkways, cycleways, blueways and bridleways throughout rural Ireland. Earlier this year, I launched the 2023 ORIS with an allocation of €16 million, a €1 million increase on 2022.
Since the launch of ORIS in 2016, funding of in excess of €106 million has supported more than 1,500 projects across the country. Under the 2021 scheme, funding of over €18.9 million was approved for 273 projects. Funding of over €19.8 million was approved for 259 projects under the 2022 scheme. Approvals under the Project Development Measure of the 2023 scheme are due to be announced in the coming weeks. Successful projects under Measures 1, 2 and 3 will be announced in Quarter 1, 2024.
Details of all successful projects in the format requested are available on my department's website at www.gov.ie/en/collection/90a66b-approved-funding-for-outdoor-recreation-projects/.
210. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of community-based organisations supported by her Department's community services programme, by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46918/23]
View answerMy Department's Community Services Programme (CSP) supports 420 community-based organisations, supporting 437 services to provide local services through a social enterprise model. CSP provides an annual co-funding contribution towards each full-time equivalent (FTE) position being supported, and, where warranted, towards the cost of employing a manager.
Qualifying organisations must be social enterprises capable of generating income from their activities in order to meet the full salary costs of the supported posts, for example, from income received from the public use of facilities and services.
The number, by county, of organisations currently supported is set out in the table below.
A new call for applications under the CSP was launched on 6th March last with a budget of €1 million in 2023. 197 stage 1 Concept Notes were received, following which 33 successful stage 1 applicants were invited to submit a full application under stage 2. Of these 33 organisations, 27 have submitted full applications and these are currently being assessed by Pobal, who administer the programme on behalf of the Department. It is expected that all stage 2 applicants who have submitted a full application will be notified of the outcome in November.
In addition, a call for applications for additional staff support from organisations currently funded under the CSP programme was launched on 1st September, with a closing date of 29th September. Applications received are currently being assessed by Pobal and it is anticipated that notifications will issue to organisations in early 2024.
|
County |
No of Organisations |
|
Carlow |
3 |
|
Cavan |
4 |
|
Clare |
11 |
|
Cork |
27 |
|
Donegal |
41 |
|
Dublin City |
27 |
|
Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown |
5 |
|
Fingal |
16 |
|
Galway |
21 |
|
Kerry |
15 |
|
Kildare |
6 |
|
Kilkenny |
7 |
|
Laois |
5 |
|
Leitrim |
17 |
|
Limerick |
20 |
|
Longford |
5 |
|
Louth |
12 |
|
Mayo |
34 |
|
Meath |
9 |
|
Monaghan |
11 |
|
Offaly |
14 |
|
Roscommon |
19 |
|
Sligo |
9 |
|
South County Dublin |
20 |
|
Tipperary |
11 |
|
Waterford |
13 |
|
Westmeath |
11 |
|
Wexford |
15 |
|
Wicklow |
12 |
|
Total |
420 |
